Damian had a long Naval career as an aviator and flight instructor. After years of constant change, he embraced post-military life and shared his newly permanent roots with a friend: a shelter dog named Bella. Although mobility is a job requirement of anyone in the military, relocating is still a complex event and can take its toll. The effects of constant moves – often called ‘mobility syndrome,’ ‘relocation stress’ and ‘relo shock’ – have been analyzed by many experts over the years.One thing is not in dispute: constant change is often the only sure thing military personnel experience during … [Read more...]

John is a Vietnam veteran who wonders if he has a story to tell.“I’m one of the lucky ones who came out of combat unscathed, both physically and mentally," he says. “I thank G-d every day for that.”Nevertheless, John does have a tale. He helps people and pets find their way, first as a radar installation supervisor in Vietnam and then as a teacher, author, career development consultant and pet parent. Companion pets have always found their way into his life.Showing the way in wartimeJohn feels deeply for veterans who haven’t been able to fully reconnect with society and who suffer from … [Read more...]

As the founder of a nationally operating charity dedicated to veterans and last-chance shelter pets, I'm not in the habit of talking about myself. Yet I've been asked 'Why did you start Pets for Patriots?' more times than I can count, so I've decided to share my story in the hopes that it might help those Pets for Patriots was founded to serve.Who, me?The simple truth is that I never imagined I would someday be running a nonprofit organization, much less starting one from scratch during what will be remembered as the worst economic recession of our day. I'm not one of those people you read or … [Read more...]

An Army combat veteran of the Korean War and self-described “last man standing” fought back loneliness with a shelter dog named Tiger.
Gerald has distinct memories of Korea, where he served with the 82nd Anti Aircraft Artillery (82nd AAA) based out of the 38th parallel. A lot of life transpired between his time in the Army and where he is today – 81, divorced and largely alone – but life changed radically and for the better when he adopted a companion pet.
“He made up for company I have now compared to being all alone. I’ve got him and he’s got me,” he says. “He’s not human and sometimes … [Read more...]

Mark Twain once said that if heaven was a reward to be earned, “you would stay out and your dog would go in.” Clearly the iconic author never met Gary, a combat veteran of Vietnam who believed his recently adopted shelter dog was heaven sent. We have no doubt that Gary’s life and extraordinary service earned him a heavenly perch as well.
Gary died suddenly on June 22, 2014, just days after being interviewed for this story. At the request of his wife, Mary, and in keeping with Gary’s wishes, we are sharing his tale.
Joining the fight
It was 1964 and Gary had just graduated high school. He … [Read more...]